Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Bleak Midwinter

Psalm 74:17
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth';
you made both summer and winter.

When I gaze upon bleak midwinter
It's easy to assume the negative
To dismiss the call to forgive
And forget salvation's healing way
Under winter's grip, we slog and toil
Mired in bricks and straw, whips to back
Yet back to back, we stand, yearn and lean
Into the One; the everlasting promise
Declares that summer, stalwart, comes again

Amen!

30 comments:

  1. Great poem, Martha.

    Indeed, no matter how long winter is, it is sure to be followed by summer ... eventually.

    God bless you, Martha.

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    1. Thank you, Victor! We can look forward to the "summer" of our lives with hope.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. We haven't had the snow of midwinter's blast but we have had the cold. I have definitely heard some say they are ready for Spring and warm weather.

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    1. Bill, this snow photo was taken here last year - we haven't had one flake of snow this winter, but that is actually more typical for Georgia than not. And yes, I'm aware of how cold it's been for you up in Indiana! Brr!
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Naked honesty … and beautiful, my friend! I want to show this to Tom and hope he'll glean some comfort. These cold, gray days are really doing a 'job' on his morale. Blessings!

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    1. Oh, that's so kind of you, Mevely! Yes, I do hope it will perk up Tom's spirits. Hang in there - warmer weather is on the way!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Wonderful. Thank you for this beautiful poem today. Thinking of you...

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    1. I'm glad this spoke to your heart today, Pamela, and thank you for the kind and caring thoughts. You're the best!
      Love and blessings!

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  5. A lovely poem with a deeper meaning than just those words! You are a master!

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    1. Oh, Terri, thank you so much for your kind words here! I don't know that "master" is something I've yet earned in the poetry department, but I'm going to keep trying.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Beautiful poem! One of my favorite carols--"In the Bleak Mid-winter".
    Blessings, My Friend!

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    1. Thank you, Loralu! That carol is one of my favorites, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Martha, your poem is beautiful. Yes, this winter (especially as of late) is a tiring and trying one--sort of like in "Narina"--always winter and never spring. No matter what I do know that the seasons will change on God's timetable and no one else's. :)

    I'm still learning to be content in all things and in all seasons. There's something to be said for NOT pining away for a different season than the one we're experiencing.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Amen, Kim! There is something to be said for being content in each season in which we find ourselves. And I remember that Narnia story so well. As I kid, I remember thinking how horrid it was to be always winter, and never Christmas. Oh, the inhumanity of that when one is young!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. This is a beautiful poem that paints a picture of the dreariness of winter but also the promise of summer, Martha. In a spiritual sense as well. It gives me hope. I looong for spring and all its new life. Love and blessings to you!

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    1. Trudy, I'm so glad that this poem filled you with hope. Hope in God and faith in His promises and provision is what life is truly about, isn't it?
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Beautiful poem, my wife would share in it's description of the season. I for one don't mind the winter so much, it brings a crispness to the air. I do look forward to the spring, however.

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    1. So glad you enjoyed this post, Ryan. I, too, don't mind winter all that much, but spring is always welcome.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. Love it! Nothing better than a poem to capture cold dark desolation of winter. But little by little, day by day, we see signs of hope, signs of spring.

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    1. Ah, yes, Debra, the spring will return . . . our daffodils attest to that!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. I find February to be the hardest month of the year. I try to be conscious of filling my days with good people and enjoyable activities, writing and creating and resting well.

    And being grateful for a warm place to live, hot food to eat, freedom to worship, and people to love.

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    1. I hear you about the month of February, Linda. It tends to be the dreariest of all the winter months. I've even heard it called "Febru-ugly!"
      Sounds like you know how to take care of yourself so you can avoid the winter blues.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. beautiful words. Bleak is a good way to describe winter but I know spring is coming!

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    1. Amen, Jean, spring is on its way, and I am thankful.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Beautiful words, my friend! And so encouraging! Thank you!

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  14. Winter certainly can drag on! But we do have summer's promise, as each season only lasts so long, before the next one is ushered in. While I do so love winters, come March, I will definitely be ready for spring!

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    1. I hear you, Marilyn! Winter can seem to last forever, but there is always the promise of spring and summer right around the corner.
      Love and blessings!

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